As of Monday, November 4, 2024, the BC Maritime Employers Association (BCMEA)—the ocean carrier and terminal representative group in charge of staffing the ports and terminals on Canada’s West Coast—has announced a lockout of ILWU Canada employees.
This move followed ILWU Canada filing a 72-hour notice of strike on Friday, November 1.
The lockout by BCMEA has effectively shut down all container operations at the major port hubs of Vancouver and Prince Rupert. Cruise and Grain operations are expected to continue, but container traffic flow will be halted.
Currently, there is no timeline around a resolution. Both BCMEA and ILWU Canada have confirmed that there are no negotiations taking place.
As with previous actions centered around Canadian labor disputes, ocean carriers are expected to take a measured approach to the situation before making any significant changes. However, with the Port of LA/Long Beach facing extensive rail congestion and delays, absorbing Canadian bound freight into US West Coast ports would exacerbate that situation.
Mohawk Global will continue to monitor this strike and provide updates, as necessary. If you have questions, reach out to your Mohawk Global representative.
By Chris Lindstrand, Vice President of International Transportation